IICSA begins country’s first virtual public inquiry hearings

Nikita McNeill appeared as junior counsel to the Inquiry as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse commenced the UK’s first virtual public inquiry hearings on Monday.

The Inquiry’s investigation into child sexual abuse in religious organisations and settings was forced to halt hearings on 16th March 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic but has chosen to resume hearings, with witnesses, through use of Zoom technology.

The hearings are scheduled to last for two weeks and will be live streamed here. They will examine how religious organisations respond to the need to keep children safe, and how they behave when allegations of child sexual abuse are made within their organisation.

On Monday the Inquiry heard evidence from witnesses working within the Jewish Community about the difficulties victims and survivors can experience in reporting their child sexual abuse, and that those who do report may be ostracised from Ultra-Orthodox communities, either overtly or through complicity in the actions of others.

Legal

Covid-19

Chambers is adopting a “business as usual” approach during this difficult period but all members of chambers, clerks and administration will be operating safely and efficiently from home save for court appearances.